Review of low-budget measures for the prevention of traffic accidents at level crossings

Barić, Danijela; Grabušić, Silvestar · 2024 · Crossref

DOI: 10.5592/co/cetra.2024.1617

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

Get this paper ↗ (DOI — opens at the source; we link to it, we don't host it)

Summary

This paper addresses the persistent safety risks at level crossings (LCs), where road and railway infrastructure intersect. Despite the presence of active warning systems, LCs remain high-risk locations, accounting for 28.6% of railway accidents in the EU and 36% in Croatia in 2022. The authors argue that user behavior is a primary cause of accidents and that high-cost infrastructure upgrades, such as full barriers, are often financially unfeasible. Consequently, the study reviews low-budget infrastructure measures designed to prevent accidents and enhance safety at both active and passive LCs, providing decision-makers with evidence-based recommendations for cost-effective interventions. The methodology involved a comprehensive literature review and data extraction from European projects (SELCAT and SAFER LC), national safety programs, and scientific databases including Web of Science and Scopus. The authors focused specifically on road infrastructure measures, excluding educational or purely technological solutions. They identified and categorized 62 low-budget measures based on their application area, user type (motorized vs. vulnerable), and alignment with Croatian traffic legislation. The selection process prioritized measures with proven efficacy in pilot studies, expert reports, or scientific research. The findings are organized into six categories. First, pavement markings (17 measures) include colored danger zones, rumble strips to reduce speed, and timber surfacing. Second, traffic sign and light enhancements (17 measures) involve LED-enhanced signs, flashing lights activated by trains, and specific signage like "Look for Train" to improve detection. Third, traffic calming equipment (10 measures) includes speed bumps, automatic speed enforcement, and visual illusions using poles to reduce approach speeds. Fourth, barrier enhancements (12 measures) feature added lights, increased barrier height, and anti-climbing devices like grids or rollers. Fifth, railway information and detection measures (13 measures) utilize LED panels for train arrival times, mirrors for visibility, and low-budget detectors. Finally, the study notes that while these measures improve awareness and reduce speed, they face limitations such as maintenance needs, weather dependency, and potential noise pollution. The significance of this research lies in its practical utility for infrastructure managers facing budget constraints. By categorizing and evaluating low-cost interventions, the paper offers a toolkit for improving LC safety without major capital investment. The authors conclude that while these measures enhance recognition and behavior, they are not standalone solutions and require careful implementation to avoid issues like driver overload or maintenance burdens. Future research should expand to include in-vehicle systems and provide more detailed cost-effectiveness analyses.

Provenance

The full processing record for this entry. Every stage of this paper's journey through the pipeline is logged — what ran, with which tool and model, how many attempts it took, and when it last completed.

Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-26; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• rail grade crossings